Were you ever forced to dissect a frog in high school? Did you fake sick that week to get out of it? (Me too!)

Animal rights groups have been trying for some time to promote virtual dissections— a computer software that allows students to virtually dissect an animated frog rather than open up the real thing. That way they can still learn all about anatomy, but without the cruelty to animals.
Now, a Southern California high school has taken them up on the offer and is integrating virtual dissections into their classroom. Rancho Verde High School struck a deal with Animal Welfare Institute and Save the Frogs initially to save money, said assistant principalKevin Stipp.

The animal rights groups are donating Digital Frog 2.5 software licenses to the first 25 schools who willingly give up dissections for 5 years, and that’s a pretty generous offer considering each license is valued at $900.

Critics of the software have complained that these virtual simulations can’t compare to holding and inspecting real organs, but the animal rights activists argue that this is a more humane and safer method even for students, who have to be exposed to formaldehyde during the dissections.

What do you think? Should dissections remain a part of school learning?